Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.
The ready mixed industry came to Capitol Hill recently calling for Congress to quickly act on passage of a new surface transportation bill by June 30. NRMCA has again joined with other transportation stakeholders and members of the Senate to urge Congress to gain consensus on transportation issues, pass a new bill, and put thousands of Americans back to work by month’s end.
During the rally, NRMCA and the other attendees made the case that passing a new, fully-funded, multiyear transportation bill before the June 30 deadline will help to correct the dire economic path the ready mixed concrete industry and the transportation construction industry have been forced to travel. Providing the backdrop for the rally were four concrete mixer trucks courtesy of association producer member Titan America.
NRMCA Vice Chairman Bill Childs, president & CEO of Chaney Enterprises, Waldorf, Md., reminded Congress that, among other things:
- Since 2005, ready mixed concrete production (cubic yards) has declined by 57 percent;
- Since the economic meltdown started in 2008, the industry has seen a 40 percent employment reduction:
- Every $5 billion of federal investment leads to at least 1 million cubic yards of placed concrete;
- Every $1 billion of federal investment directly or indirectly supports up to 47,500 construction industry jobs; and
- Every day that goes by without a new transportation bill, less economic certainty exists, U.S. competitiveness wanes, congestion builds, the current transportation system deteriorates, thousands of workers remain unemployed, fewer transportation projects can be realized, and the nation’s roads become less safe.